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Thread: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    32

    Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    Trying to obtain my first 90mm lens. Had a couple of dissappointments from the auction site, although fortunately managed to get my money back, so I'm thinking of just biting the bullet and buying new.

    I notice from the landscape lens review on this site that both John Sparks and Kerry Thalmann chose the Nikkor as their preferred 90mm lens, with no mention of Rodenstock (or indeed Schneider).

    I've tried to get some information on the Nikkor, but there's not a lot out there. One of my main questions is the size of the front filter thread. I've got several 67mm filters which I use on my 210mm Rodenstock and also on my MF Rollei lenses. I know the Grandagon 6.8 has a 67mm thread, but what size is the Nikkor?

    Weight is not so much of an issue for me, so I just want to know which gives the best results - or indeed if they're as good as each other (in which case I would probably opt for the Grandagon due to it being a tad faster).

    Any experience/advice?

    Thanks.

    Nick

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
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    280

    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    Nick:
    Nikkor has two 90mm SW lenses, an f4.5 and an f8. The f8 uses 67mm filters and the f4.5 82mm filters. I have both and like them. They are fine lenses. If you can live with a slightly darker view on the GG, the f8 is an excellent performer and is highly recommended by many. The f4.5 also performs well but is somewhat heavier (600gr vs 360gr) and more expensive. If I had to choose between the two I have, I would opt for the f8. I use it a lot for backpacking. I use the f4.5 for shots near the car which I do less often given that I shoot mostly landscapes.
    Cheers,
    Dave B.

  3. #3

    Join Date
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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    Nick... as a manufacturer of cameras that lean heavily on the 90mm focal length, I have had the opportunity to see many very large prints produced by all of them. In my opinion, there is not a bad one in the bunch. Of those with a 67mm filter thread I would be hard pressed to differentiate the quality difference between the Fuji f8, Nikon f8, Rodenstock 6.8, or Schneider f8. Sadly, only the Rodenstock remains in current production.

  4. #4

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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    It could take a whole photographic carrier to be able to differentiate between the two lenses - and still it would be largely just a personal opinion. This kind of questions is the direct consequence of amateurish opinions divulged happily in all photographic forums. The sooner you liberate yourself from these opinions the better for you.

  5. #5

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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    GPS:
    I am having a hard time understanding what it is you think we all actually do in this forum. The rest of us think that it is a place where we can ask questions about LF lenses and help each other as best we can, especially newcomers who need our help the most. It provides a chance to both learn and teach.
    Don't you have something better to do with your time than lurk around here and insult us for using the forum for its intended purpose?
    Cheers,
    Dave B.

  6. #6

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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    If it is an insulting thought for you that a novice could be freed from useless fears by well intended advice you can: take a bear, go to your doc, dance on your head or whatever else...

  7. #7

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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    a beer,to be more precise for your taste...

  8. #8

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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    I agree with GPS on this one, there is so much myth perpetuated on forums about lenses it is liberating once you are shut of it. When I started out I had to have this and that lens. Wish I could have those agonized moments and dollars back! There really are few that have actually compared these lenses to one another in any meaningful way and most of them agree it's impossible to tell them apart. Of my favorite lenses one is first generation single coated and scratched all to hell and the second is one few have even heard of...(But the grandagon is a sweet lens! )

  9. #9

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    Oct 2006
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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    Now, now, lets think this one through.

    I am indeed a LF novice - very much so - and have generally found this forum to be very helpful. LF photographers who have obviously been around for a while, taking the time to help poor simple fools such as myself.

    Just a simple "difficult to differentiate between the two" would have been sufficient.

    Once I have a few years experience under my belt (oh, and a limitless budget of course to try whatever I like) I'll be sure not to ask such facile questions.

    In the meantime lets hope I can liberate myself from stooping to reply to such a puerile response, and hope that your other 640 posts aren't as equally astounding in their paucity of assistance!

    Thank you so very much.

  10. #10
    Kirk Gittings's Avatar
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    Re: Nikkor SW 90mm or Grandagon 90mm?

    In the meantime lets hope I can liberate myself from stooping to reply to such a puerile response, and hope that your other 640 posts aren't as equally astounding in their paucity of assistance!
    Well said.
    Thanks,
    Kirk

    at age 73:
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep"

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